Signal



Sept. 10, 1940. NN 2,214,473

- SIGNAL Filed Dec. 23, 1936 2 Sheets-Shae; l

, INVENTOE Leaf/7mm Patented Sept. 10, 1940 PATENT I OFFICE SIGNAL Leo R. Mann, St. Louis, Mo., assignor to Handlan,

' Inc. St. Louis, Mo., a

corporation of Missouri Application December 23, 1936, Serial No. 117,325 7 9 Claims.

crossings and elsewhere as traffic warning signals.

These signals include a light source, for example, an electric lamp, and means such asa lens or a reflector for magnifying or intensifying the light along a restricted beam, usually diverging from the signal. Such a device includes a focal point fixed relative to the lens ,or reflector. Usually the light source will be located at the focal point although for some signals a more diffused light may be desired and the source of light be positioned elsewhere than at the focal point. It is necessary to the effective operation of the signal that the lamp source be positioned accurately at or relative to the focal point. Even though the device be produced originally with a light source positioned thus accurately, ments may be required when the lamp is set up or when the original lamp or other light source is replaced. For example, with electric lamps the filament may vary in its position in the bulband it has been customary to test lamps intended for certain signal installations by first mounting them in a master device at the factory and discarding those in which the filament is not located within a very small required tolerance. The accepted .lamps are known as precision filament lamps and the other lamps are rejected for the intended purpose. This selection substantially increases the cost of lamps suited for these signals and if the lamps are not so tested and selected the results will not be as satisfactory as desired and in some installations may be impractical,

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide for and facilitate the accurate adjustment of a lamp filament, or other light source, relative to the focal point of the magnifying member both at the time the device is originally manufactured and assembled and at subsequent times when it is necessary to adjust or replace the light source.

Usually devices of the type referred to require two persons to install them properly, one to manipulate the device and another, positioned along the path of the beam and at a substantial distance from the device, to direct the person adjusting the device. Another object of the invention is to facilitate the accurate positioning of the device without requiring the assistance of the second person.

These general and other more detailed objects ;of the invention, as referred to' below, are atadj'ust- I loosening clamps tained by the structure shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is an elevation of a railway crossing signal standard including a pair of devices embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation drawn on an enlarged scale showing one of the signal devices illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a rear elevation of the structure shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a detail perspective view of a sighting arrangement on the device.

Figure 5 is a side view of the lens holding and lamp mounting structure. I

Figure 6 is a side elevation of the lens and lamp mounting portions of the device moved to a different position than shown in Figure 2 a part of the structure being sectioned to more clearly illustrate the same. I

Figure '7 is a detail section taken on the line 1-1 of Figure 6.

A device embodying the invention may be mounted upon any suitable support, such as a building wall, a bridge structure, or a signal tower, and for illustrative purposes there is shown in. Figure 1 a standard I rising from a base 2,

and carrying a horizontal bracket arm 4 which -mounts one or more signal devices 5. These devices may take different forms but the particular device illustrated is of the type having a body 6 on which a frame I4 is hinged at 15 and carries a lens 8 and structure, referred to in detail hereafter, for mounting an electric lamp 3. Bracket arm 4 may comprise a pipe section with an elbow 9 split lengthwise and secured in place by a screw clamp I. A nipple l0 rigid with the signal body 6 is inserted in the lower end of elbow 9-and held in position by the screw clamp II. By slightly I and l I, body 6 may be rotated in ahorizontal plane or in a vertical plane, to direct its longitudinal axis, and the beam of light from the device as desired.

To facilitate such direction, frame l4 carries a plate I8 having a peep hole l9 and a sight point 20 which permit the operator to sight or aim the device according as it is intended for the beam of light therefrom to be directed. This positioning of the body may be effected in daylight and without the presence of a second person standing in the path of the light beam to instruct and guide the operator. The background 16 carried on frame M has an opening H for accommodating the operators adjustment of the device as described.

The periphery'of the lower portionof elbow 9 includes a graduated scale l2 and extending upwardly from body 6 is an element [3 terminating in a point which may be aligned with one of the graduations on scale l2 to indicate to the operator the number of degrees which the body is turned from a given position. For example, if the operator is setting a warning signal at the side of a highway and knows that the beam of light from the device he is setting has a thirty-degree divergence and desires to direct the beam over as large anarea as possible adjacent the highway, he can first direct the axis of the device along the highway by sight elements I!) and 20 and then, utilizing elements 42 and I3, turn the device away from the highway through an angle of fifteen degrees. This will bring one edge of the beam along the highway and the other edge of the beam a maximum distance away from the same. Similarly other settings may be made by using the sighting structure and the scale and pointer elements. The above described subject matter provides for the directing of the beam of light produced by the lamp 3 and may be used independently of the lamp positioning elements described below and forms the subject matter of a divisional application, filed in the name of the present inventor on June 30, 1937, Serial No. 151,147.

To facilitate positioning of lamp 3 radially of the lens, its base is slidable axially in a contractible ring clamp- 2i projecting from a. platelike bracket 22 resting upon a spring 24 seated on a lens retaining ring 23 secured to frame I4. To facilitate positioning of lamp 3 towards and from the lens there is provided an adjusting nut 25 and a lock nut 26 cooperating with spring 23 to locate lamp bracket 22. Pins 21 on ring 23 project through openings therefor in bracket 22 and hold the latter against twisting on the ring.

At diametrically opposite points on ring 23 are studs 28 located outside of the functioning area or" the lens and outside of the zone of light transmitted by the lens. These studs are permanent parts of the structure and have pointed outer ends comprising sighting elements set to indicate the focal point of the lens. By loosening screw 3!], which tightens clamp 2i, and by loosening lock nut 26, the operator may adjust the lamp to and from and across the lens to bring the lamp filament 29 in line with sighting points of elements 28, thus placing the source of light in the focal point. If some other positioning of the source of light if desired, the sighting elements form means for determining whether or not the lamp is positioned as desired.

Depending from the upper portion of ring 23 is an adjustable bracket 3! supporting angularly disposed mirrors 32 which reflect a portion of the light from the lamp downwardly in diverging di-' rections to be seen by persons adjacent to the standard but out of the path of the main light beam.

An attaching screw 33 extending through lug 34 on frame It and threaded into lug 35 on body 6 normally holds the frame and parts carried thereby in the position shown in Figure 2.

The shielded opening 36 in the side of the body is for inspection purposes to determine in daylight if the light is functioning. This opening does not contribute to the adjustment or operation of the device.

With the structure described, any suitable lamp may be installed or replaced by a single maintenance man who can be assured the lamp is in the same focal point as originally designed. Precision filament lamps are unnecessary as any commercial lamp may be used because of the ease of determining its relation to the focal point. Also the single operator can direct the axis of the device as desired without assistance. The mirror reflector gives a light indication to anyone close to the device and irrespective of the adjustment of the lens. i

If the device is of the type having a reflector mirror in the 2 body for magnifying the light, rather than using a lens, the lamp will be mounted upon the body or mirror frame rather than on a frame pivoted to the body, and sighting elements corresponding to pointed studs 28 will be positioned on the same fixed mounting for indicating the focal point of the reflector. Such a device usuallyincludes an ordinary roundel in front of the lamp but its position or mounting will not affect the focusing of the light source.

The structureillustrated develops a phantomless signal with satisfactory spreadand close-up indication but all of the features described may be retained with the reflector type device if the latter is desired.

Most signals of this type use electric lamps as the light source but. obviously the nature of the light source is immaterial to the embodiment of the invention and the term lamp or lamp filament in the accompanying claims is intended to include gas or oil flame or any other light source movable relative to the lens or reflector.

Other details of the structure may be varied by those familiar with the manufacture of similar devices without departing from the spirit of the invention and the exclusive use of such modifications as come within the scope of the claims is contemplated.

What is claimed is: r

i. In a signal of the class described, a light focusing member, a frame surrounding and mounting said member, said member having an axis passing through its center and perpendicularly to the planeof. said frame, an adjustable bracket on said frame extending inwardly therefrom for mounting a lamp bulb with'its filament lying in said axis, and permanently attached parts extending from said frame at diametrically opposide sides of said member and spaced from its functioning area and including elements for determining a line of sight extending transversely of said axis and passing through the focal point of said member. 4

2. In a signal of the class described, a light focusing member, a shallow frame surrounding and mounting said member, a bracket on said frame for mounting a lamp bulb, and permanently attached elements projecting from said frame transversely of its general plane and positioned adjacent the edges of said member but out of its functioning area and terminating in pointsfor determining a line of sight extending from one side of said frame to the other transversely of the axis of said member and passing through the focal point of said member, and an adjusting screw and nut correlated with said frame and bracket for moving the latter by turning said screw to move a lamp bulb in said bracket relative to said line of sight.

3. In a signal of the class described, a lens holding frame, an adjustable lampmounting on said frame, and sighting elements located on said frame so that a straight line between them, will pass through the filament of a lamp in said mounting when the lamp is properly located relative to the axis and plane of said frame, and

a housing coacting with said frame and lens to enclose said lamp mounting, lamp and sighting elements, said housing and frame being arranged for relative movement, without disassembly, to provide access to said mounting, lamp and sighting elements when replacement or adjustment of the lamp is required.

4. In a signal of the class described, a frame, a lens therein, a lamp mounting on said frame, an electric lamp base, bulb and filament carried by said mounting, sighting elements permanently fixed on said frame at opposite sides of said bulb and outside the functioning area of said lens to determine a line of sight extending transversely of the axis of said lens, and means for securing said mounting at different points in different planes to align said filament with said elements to locate said filament relative to the focal point of said lens, and a housing receiving said lamp mounting, lamp sighting elements and securing means, said elements mounting, lamp and securing means being arranged for movement as a unit to a position exteriorly of said housing, without disassembly of said frame and housing, where they may be accessible to an operator.

5. In a signal lamp of the class described, a housing, a frame movably mounted on said housing, a light magnifying member in fixed relation to said frame, an adjustable lamp mounting in fixed relation to said frame and member, and sighting elements in fixed relation to said frame and member, and positioned at opposite sides of said mounting for determining a line of sight across said frame and in fixed relation to said member to serve as a guide in adjusting said mounting and a lamp thereon to locate the filament of the lamp at the focal point of said member,said frame, member, mounting and elements being assembled as a unit and movable as a unit into and out of functioning position relative to said housing to facilitate access to said mounting.

6. In a signal of the class described, a lens holding frame comprising a contractible rin clamp, a bracket on said frame, elements at opposite sides of said frame and determining a line of sight extending transversely of the axis of a lens in said frame, and a lamp socket slidable axially in said bracket radially of said frame to align its lamp filament with said sighting elements, and a housing normally receiving said mounting closed, to a position in bracket, elements and socket but pivotally assembled with said frame to permit relative movement of the latter to carry said bracket, elements and socket, as a unit, out of the housing to facilitate adjustment'of said socket relative to said frame and lens.

'7. In a signal of the class described, a housing, a shallow frame, a lens mounted therein, pins inserted in said frame at diametrically opposite sides of said lens and projecting from said frame parallel with the axis of said lens and including elements for determining a line of sight which passes through the focal point of said lens, a bracket fixed to said frame substantially intermediate of said pins and extending radially inwardly of said frame, a lamp mounted on said bracket, the mounting of said bracket and the of said lamp being adjustable so that the filament of said lamp may be placed in the intersection of the axis of said lens and the line of sight between said elements, said frame and lens being movable as a unit and without disassembly from said housing from a position in which they close one side of said housing and in which said pins, bracket, lamp and mounting are enwhich said bracket and lamp may be adjusted by sighting over said pins to aline the filament of said lamp therewith.

8. In a signal of the class described, a frame, a lens therein, a pair of pins projecting inwardly from said frame, a bracket plate apertured to slide on said pins, a stud projecting from said frame adjacent to said pins, a spring seated in said frame adjacent to said stud and beneath said plate, a nut on said stud above said plate and cooperating with said spring for adjusting said plate to and from said frame, fixed sighting elements projecting inwardly from said frame, and a lamp mounted on said plate with a filament disposed adjacent to a sighting line between said elements, said lamp being movable relative to said line by said nut and spring to determine its proper position perpendicularly of said lens.

9. A structure as described in claim 8 which includes a lamp socket slidable 111 the bracket plate substantially radially of said frame to move the lamp relative to the sighting line to determine its proper position across said lens. 

